Helpful Score: 6
Kleypas does it again.
Kleypas has a talent for creating memorable heroes, (tortured and non) and this one is one of her better ones. I loved the 1/2 gypsy 1/2 Irish Cam Rohan. For once it was nice to have a hero who was comfortable with himself, his emotions and sexuality rather than angst-ridden. In a way he reminded me of Nicholas Davies, the 1/2 gypsy earl of Aberdare from Putney's Thunder and Roses.
Prim, proper, prudish Amelia was the perfect foil for playful, sensual slightly wild Cam; rather than her taming him, he helps release her inner wildness.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
This contains the hands down most romantic "seduction" scene I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It's literally a fairy tale. Cam saves Amelia from a rocket blast by throwing himself on her body. She notices a tattoo on his forearm and asks about it.
He explains that it is a "pooka"--an irish mytholgical horse (coal black with yellow eyes) that may appear in front of your home at midnight, call your name and take you for a midnight ride over mountains, streams and oceans. If you ever return, you'll never be the same.
When finished with the story, he asks Amelia what she would do if offered a midnight ride on a pooka--go or stay safely in bed? (She says she'd stay in bed of course).
Weeks later, after he has rescued Amelia from her burning home and they are both staying with his friend the earl of Westcliff, Cam appears in her bedroom around midnight and begins passionately kissing and caressing her. When she thinks he is about to make love to her (and she wants him to), instead, he has her put on a wrap, takes her by the hand and leads her downstairs to the garden. There he whistles and his black horse gallops into view. Amelia asks the horse's name and Cam says "I think you know." He then takes her on a short cross-country ride to an abandoned campsite, where he builds a fire and then makes a bed out of blankets from his saddle bag. There he holds her, kisses and caresses her and then very tenderly makes love to her under the stars. While it takes them quite a while to sleep together, it's incredibly steamy once they do. Both seem to be insatiable.
I loved it so much that I didn't want it to end. Can't wait for Merripen's and Win's story "Seduce me at Sunrise." Great start to a new (I hope) series.
This one's a keeper--sorry, not sharing.
Kleypas has a talent for creating memorable heroes, (tortured and non) and this one is one of her better ones. I loved the 1/2 gypsy 1/2 Irish Cam Rohan. For once it was nice to have a hero who was comfortable with himself, his emotions and sexuality rather than angst-ridden. In a way he reminded me of Nicholas Davies, the 1/2 gypsy earl of Aberdare from Putney's Thunder and Roses.
Prim, proper, prudish Amelia was the perfect foil for playful, sensual slightly wild Cam; rather than her taming him, he helps release her inner wildness.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
This contains the hands down most romantic "seduction" scene I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It's literally a fairy tale. Cam saves Amelia from a rocket blast by throwing himself on her body. She notices a tattoo on his forearm and asks about it.
He explains that it is a "pooka"--an irish mytholgical horse (coal black with yellow eyes) that may appear in front of your home at midnight, call your name and take you for a midnight ride over mountains, streams and oceans. If you ever return, you'll never be the same.
When finished with the story, he asks Amelia what she would do if offered a midnight ride on a pooka--go or stay safely in bed? (She says she'd stay in bed of course).
Weeks later, after he has rescued Amelia from her burning home and they are both staying with his friend the earl of Westcliff, Cam appears in her bedroom around midnight and begins passionately kissing and caressing her. When she thinks he is about to make love to her (and she wants him to), instead, he has her put on a wrap, takes her by the hand and leads her downstairs to the garden. There he whistles and his black horse gallops into view. Amelia asks the horse's name and Cam says "I think you know." He then takes her on a short cross-country ride to an abandoned campsite, where he builds a fire and then makes a bed out of blankets from his saddle bag. There he holds her, kisses and caresses her and then very tenderly makes love to her under the stars. While it takes them quite a while to sleep together, it's incredibly steamy once they do. Both seem to be insatiable.
I loved it so much that I didn't want it to end. Can't wait for Merripen's and Win's story "Seduce me at Sunrise." Great start to a new (I hope) series.
This one's a keeper--sorry, not sharing.
Helpful Score: 6
Absolutely no one writes historical romance like Lisa Kleypas. This has taken the place of Dreaming of You as my new favorite Kleypas book anc Cam Rohan is my new favorite hero.
Helpful Score: 4
"Mine Till Midnight" is a real winner for Lisa Kleypas. The first half of the book was slow going at times, but once you get into the second half, things really picked up. The narrative style is so compelling and Kleypas has a way of getting you truly involved with the characters, especially Cam Rohan and the heroine, Amelia Hathaway. If you are looking for a quick light novel, you'll enjoy it.
Helpful Score: 3
This was my first time reading Lisa Kleypas. I really enjoyed this book. Characters were believable and the book had a terrific pace - no lull! I will be reading more of Lisa Kleypas.
Helpful Score: 2
lisa kleypas does it again, this is the start of the hathaway series but it is really a continuation of the wallflower books as they share most of their staring cast, i couldnt put it down i read it all in one sitting and it is definately going on my keepers list. i keep almost all of lisa kleypas books.
Helpful Score: 2
Amelia Hathaway is charming heroine and Cam the hero is to die for. This is a fun read with I hope a sequel to tell us what happens to Merripan.
Helpful Score: 2
I have never read a Lisa Kleypas I found impossible to put down and this one is no exception. Wonderful as usual.
Katie S. (JeffersonsAmbrosia) reviewed Mine Till Midnight (Hathaways, Bk 1) on + 98 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
What is there to say about Mine until Midnight, this is a hot little book. It is of course a bodice ripper at the core; you can tell that by the cover I am sure. However it is a bodice ripper with more to it. Dealing with prejudice of the Gypsy kind in England, a brother who is grieving so much for his lost fiancé that he forgets about his own family.
Along with the budding romance between the handsome Cam and the semi prudish Amelia you can see some more budding things between other characters. This book was a fun romp with some hot scenes. It has been a while since I read a straight up bodice ripper and this one did not disappoint. I admit they are a guilty pleasure for me, but when I can read one that has more meat to it I am very happy. This book fulfills that, it even gets a little bit into the supernatural with a haunting. Not too shabby for a romance right? If you like some fun romps with meat on their bones this is a good book for you.
Along with the budding romance between the handsome Cam and the semi prudish Amelia you can see some more budding things between other characters. This book was a fun romp with some hot scenes. It has been a while since I read a straight up bodice ripper and this one did not disappoint. I admit they are a guilty pleasure for me, but when I can read one that has more meat to it I am very happy. This book fulfills that, it even gets a little bit into the supernatural with a haunting. Not too shabby for a romance right? If you like some fun romps with meat on their bones this is a good book for you.
Helpful Score: 2
As one who doesn't read much historical romance, and has never read anything by Lisa Kleypas before, I was very surprised to like this book. While not quite perfect, it's a very well written and highly entertaining.
Amelia has assumed a responsibility for all of her siblings following the death of their parents. This includes a wayward older brother and four younger sisters, each charming and unique. In addition her family includes an adopted brother of sorts, Merripen. The story begins when she and Merripen go looking for her elder brother in a gentleman's club and she meets Cam Rowen, a wealthy man of gypsy origins. The attraction between the two begins and flourishes further when Cam and Amelia encounter each other again at the home of a mutual acquaintance. Amelia is fiercely independent and burdened with the responsibility of family, seeing no place in her life for a husband. Cam on the other hand has been longing for freedom from wealth and society. Yet they are drawn to one another--and soon come to need one another permanently.
I really loved the style of Kleypas' writing. The plot is well paced. There's a great deal of wit and charm, but some somber moments as well. The characters stand out as unique and memorable. More importantly they are likable. The chemistry between Cam and Amelia is electric. My only complaint was that I would have liked a little more background on some of the characters, the entire Hathaway family really. I suspect we will learn more in future books, however.
Amelia has assumed a responsibility for all of her siblings following the death of their parents. This includes a wayward older brother and four younger sisters, each charming and unique. In addition her family includes an adopted brother of sorts, Merripen. The story begins when she and Merripen go looking for her elder brother in a gentleman's club and she meets Cam Rowen, a wealthy man of gypsy origins. The attraction between the two begins and flourishes further when Cam and Amelia encounter each other again at the home of a mutual acquaintance. Amelia is fiercely independent and burdened with the responsibility of family, seeing no place in her life for a husband. Cam on the other hand has been longing for freedom from wealth and society. Yet they are drawn to one another--and soon come to need one another permanently.
I really loved the style of Kleypas' writing. The plot is well paced. There's a great deal of wit and charm, but some somber moments as well. The characters stand out as unique and memorable. More importantly they are likable. The chemistry between Cam and Amelia is electric. My only complaint was that I would have liked a little more background on some of the characters, the entire Hathaway family really. I suspect we will learn more in future books, however.
Sherri H. (mamadoodle) -
Helpful Score: 2
I absolutely loved this book! Cam Rohan is my new favorite hero! Can't wait to read Merripen's story!
Helpful Score: 1
Finally, Cam's story! And well worth the wait!
Helpful Score: 1
I've read all but the last Hathaway book, but this one is still my favorite. The heroine is a great character, stubborn in the best way - trying to keep her family together and safe. She's kind of motherly and sisterly at the same time, and I would love to be friends with her. The hero is both lovable and likable. He is resistant at first to the idea of settling down, but once he knows he loves her and decides what he wants, he is willing to wait until she is ready to make the same commitment to him. He is a calming influence in a crisis. Their relationship develops naturally, though somewhat unconventionally. I loved the book, and I highly recommend it.
Helpful Score: 1
Another great Lisa Kleypas story. I liked it very much. I'm glade Merripen and Win get their own story. I read that in the reviews. When does it come out?
Mercedes (mercedesveronica) -
Helpful Score: 1
Lisa Kleypas fails to disappoint me as an author. On my way to the 4th book of this 5 book series and I haven't gotten bored with it! You anticipate every characters book!
Helpful Score: 1
Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite romance authors.
That said, I'm glad that I started with books later in this series because I was quite underwhelmed by this one. The story ran a bit flat for me, the romance wasn't overly convincing or romantic, and some of the characters hadn't been completely balanced yet. I was also surprised by the mention ghosts, as none of the other books dabble in the paranormal at all.
It's nice to see Amelia, a beloved presence in the other books, find her happiness. I didn't love this one, but I liked it enough.
That said, I'm glad that I started with books later in this series because I was quite underwhelmed by this one. The story ran a bit flat for me, the romance wasn't overly convincing or romantic, and some of the characters hadn't been completely balanced yet. I was also surprised by the mention ghosts, as none of the other books dabble in the paranormal at all.
It's nice to see Amelia, a beloved presence in the other books, find her happiness. I didn't love this one, but I liked it enough.
Helpful Score: 1
So glad to read Cam's story that Amelia kind of became a sidenote character for me. He really made the book. I have read the last view Hathaway books and the Wallfower series where Cam was introduced so I was anxious to get to this book.
The Hathaways were great in a quirky way and I loved being able to revisit some of the Wallflowers through them. Definitely read the Wallflower series first because there are some inside jokes. I think the later books in the series is funnier (perhaps the family is bigger) but this still was quite lovely.
I really adored Cam. I'm so glad I didn't have to sit through pages of "I'm not good enough for Amelia - poor me" thoughts. He had a few of those but he got over them rather quickly. He was sexy and naughty and everything you want in a hero.
I went back and forth with Amelia. I liked her but I couldn't really understand why she was so hessitant to marry Cam because let's face it Ameliea isn't really that into independence or else she wouldn't be so codependent with her family. Perhaps if Kleypas used the excuse that Amelia was married to her family more, it would have worked better. It was hinted but the excuse Amelia kept using was her lack of independence.
Despite my complaints I did enjoy the book. I can't wait to read more.
The Hathaways were great in a quirky way and I loved being able to revisit some of the Wallflowers through them. Definitely read the Wallflower series first because there are some inside jokes. I think the later books in the series is funnier (perhaps the family is bigger) but this still was quite lovely.
I really adored Cam. I'm so glad I didn't have to sit through pages of "I'm not good enough for Amelia - poor me" thoughts. He had a few of those but he got over them rather quickly. He was sexy and naughty and everything you want in a hero.
I went back and forth with Amelia. I liked her but I couldn't really understand why she was so hessitant to marry Cam because let's face it Ameliea isn't really that into independence or else she wouldn't be so codependent with her family. Perhaps if Kleypas used the excuse that Amelia was married to her family more, it would have worked better. It was hinted but the excuse Amelia kept using was her lack of independence.
Despite my complaints I did enjoy the book. I can't wait to read more.
Lisa Kleypas does an excellent job of introducing you to call the Hathaways. Theyre such a fun family that can remind you a lot of home. Amelia is a stong head of the household and I love the battle she has within herself in her attempt to avoid love. Cam is just a delicious character. I think we all wish a man would pursue us such as he did her. I love them together. Wonderful read got me hooked to the Hathaway series.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book... the first I've read from this author. Will definitely look for more.
Helpful Score: 1
Good read!
I really enjoy Lisa Kleypas' writing style. It draws me in with detail, without being tedious. The characters are full and human, with much breadth and depth. This is my favorite book in the Hathaway Family Series. I also absolutely adore Cam!!! He is, by far, my favorite character in all the books I've read by this author (and I've read about 98% of them!).
I loved this book. I love Cam's character in Devil in Winter and was hoping he'd have his own story. So when I saw this was his story I had to read it. Wonderful! The 2nd book is very good too.
Jennifer P. (pinkscoobyjp) -
I haven't finished the book yet... but I already LOVE it!!! First LK book and will not be the last because I have already ordered the rest of the Hathaway Series and I am looking up more of LK's books. Another great author! Definitely on for the keeper shelf!
This book got me hooked on Lisa Kleypas. This was my first and I think I've read no fewer than another 15 since then. I have also REREAD most of my Kleypas books, I rarely post them on PBS because they're fun to read over and over (I only discovered her a year or two ago!). I love her details and the dialogue between characters.
Cam and Amelia are one of my favorite couples. Cam is one of the most unique characters I've ever read in historical romance and I love the blending in of the gypsy language and culture.
The buildup of the relationship is just the right speed, the love scenes just steamy enough, the development of the other characters and subplots (Merripen and Winn) just enough to get you interested but not a distraction.
Cam and Amelia are one of my favorite couples. Cam is one of the most unique characters I've ever read in historical romance and I love the blending in of the gypsy language and culture.
The buildup of the relationship is just the right speed, the love scenes just steamy enough, the development of the other characters and subplots (Merripen and Winn) just enough to get you interested but not a distraction.
Excellent love story in a wonderful series. :)
I liked this one enough to order the second int he series. Tortured hero, prim heroine - what's not to like.
Half-Gypsy, Half-Irish, Cam Rohan live between two worlds and is accepted by none. He's made a fortune running a gentleman's gaming club, but doesn't want the money. He's on the verge of giving up his job and looking for his gypsy family when he meets Amelia Hathaway. Amelia's brother, Leo, has just been given a title and a small fortune. Leo is drinking and gambling it away. Amelia is trying to keep a roof over her family's heads and Leo out of trouble. Cam and Amelia become friends and are continually drawn together as he helps her and her family.
This is the first book in Lisa Kleypas' Hathaway series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Amelia and Cam are both strong characters. Amelia is a mother hen, taking care of her wastrel brother and younger sisters as best she can. She takes on every problem with no thoughts of herself. Cam is the strong, caring type of hero. He falls for Amelia and wants to be there to help her solve her family's problems. The secondary characters in this book are outstanding. We had cameos from several of the characters from the Wallflower series. It was fun to see them again. But my favorites were fragile Winnifred Hathaway and quiet Merripen, a gypsy who was rescued by the Hathaway family several years ago and never left. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This is the first book in Lisa Kleypas' Hathaway series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Amelia and Cam are both strong characters. Amelia is a mother hen, taking care of her wastrel brother and younger sisters as best she can. She takes on every problem with no thoughts of herself. Cam is the strong, caring type of hero. He falls for Amelia and wants to be there to help her solve her family's problems. The secondary characters in this book are outstanding. We had cameos from several of the characters from the Wallflower series. It was fun to see them again. But my favorites were fragile Winnifred Hathaway and quiet Merripen, a gypsy who was rescued by the Hathaway family several years ago and never left. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Very nice light romance that has some of the wallflowers as periphery characters.
This is the next book after the wallflower series and ties into the others well. It is a very good book. I read it in one day.
I loved this book!!!!!
I loved this book , and all the rest with this family. Another great read . Great cast of characters,humor, steamy sex and romance. This is a keeper
My new favorite LK title! Great story.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed Mine Till Midnight (Hathaways, Bk 1) on + 1726 more book reviews
You got to love this series. Such great stories for each of the family members and you enjoy the struggles and the overcoming and how the women know thier minds and hearts and go after that. Lots of humor,suspense and of course, romance. A really must read series.
I enjoyed this book very much even though I'm not a lover of romantic books this one had enough of a plot to hold my interest. The language is simple an easy read for an uncomplicated lazy afternoon.
This is the frist book I have read by Lisa Kleypas, and I ordered the sequel as soon as I had finished it! Lisa is a great romance author, and I loved the characters and the plot.
Excellent book. I like all of Lisa Kleypas' books.
A good romantic read. Lisa Kleypas sure can turn up the heat in her books!
This was a good book. I enjoyed the story, but Amelia was a little to stubborn in my opinion. But it was still a great book.
When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother challenges her patience and energy. Even more challenging is the attraction she feels for the tall, dark and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan. Wealthy beyond most men's dreams, Cam has tired of society's petty restrictions and longs to return to his Gypsy roots. When Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship, but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. Can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? First in a series of four books about the Hathaways of Hampshire in the 1800s.
Excellent start to this series. Kleypas really knows how to keep you interested. Great historical romance.
I enjoyed this book and getting to know the family of characters. It made me want to read the entire series.
Amazingly, all five of the books in this series are included in the "100 Best Romances You Should Read Before You Die." With a recommendation like that, how was I to refuse? Definitely, the characters are engaging.
Amelia Hathaway is the sister that keeps her siblings afloat, through sheer will and dedication. At her side is a Gypsy, Merripen, who has been a member of the family for 15 years. Right now, Amelia is worried about her brother, Leo, who seems to be trying to kill himself. Eventually, the reader learns that Leo and the young woman he loved both came down with scarlet fever. He survived, she did not. Leo doesn't seem to want to live anymore.
Amelia has decided never to marry. This is partly because she was disappointed by Christopher Frost, an architect (who decided to marry the boss's daughter instead). The other reason is that she figures keeping up with her siblings is a full-time job. However, fate is about to play a mysterious hand in Amelia's life by introducing her to a wealthy Gypsy, living in London, wanting to return to his roots.
Hathaway's
**1. Mine till Midnight (2007)
2. Seduce Me At Sunrise (2008)
3. Tempt Me at Twilight (2009)
4. Married By Morning (2010)
5. Love In The Afternoon (2010)
Amelia Hathaway is the sister that keeps her siblings afloat, through sheer will and dedication. At her side is a Gypsy, Merripen, who has been a member of the family for 15 years. Right now, Amelia is worried about her brother, Leo, who seems to be trying to kill himself. Eventually, the reader learns that Leo and the young woman he loved both came down with scarlet fever. He survived, she did not. Leo doesn't seem to want to live anymore.
Amelia has decided never to marry. This is partly because she was disappointed by Christopher Frost, an architect (who decided to marry the boss's daughter instead). The other reason is that she figures keeping up with her siblings is a full-time job. However, fate is about to play a mysterious hand in Amelia's life by introducing her to a wealthy Gypsy, living in London, wanting to return to his roots.
Hathaway's
**1. Mine till Midnight (2007)
2. Seduce Me At Sunrise (2008)
3. Tempt Me at Twilight (2009)
4. Married By Morning (2010)
5. Love In The Afternoon (2010)
A great start to a wonderful historical romance series!
Excellent writer. Mixes romance with a little historical fiction.
this book is really awsome..Lisa Kleypas is a wonderful writter of romance!
Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Fantastic story. The Hathaway family is a bit different than the usual HR. They are of noble birth but without the usual type of society background. There is Leo, the oldest, who recently inherited a title, followed by our heroine, Amelia, and her sisters Win, Poppy, and Beatrix. There is also a not quite family, not quite servant Gypsy man named Merripen who is an integral part of the group. Life has been difficult for the Hathaway family recently. A scarlet fever epidemic killed their parents, Leo and Win nearly died, Leo's fiancée did die. Leo has been so devastated by Laura's death that he is doing his best to kill himself with dissipation. The man that Amelia loved threw her over for another woman. As Leo has no interest in anything but his own misery, Amelia has taken over the running of the family.
As the story opens, Amelia is searching for Leo, who has disappeared once again. She is determined to take the family to their estate in Hampshire, away from the memories and pitfalls of the city, where they can begin again. Amelia is stubborn, independent, and convinced that she is the only one standing between her family and disaster. In her search for Leo, she encounters Cam Rohan, the half-Gypsy/half-Irish manager of a gambling establishment. Though he has no intention of interfering in their family issues, Cam finds himself unable to refuse to help Amelia find Leo. Once he does, he thinks that the end of it. Fate has other plans, and they meet again in Hampshire in a most unusual manner.
Amelia was impressive and frustrating. I loved her determination and her protectiveness toward her family. She will do anything for them. However, she is a bit overprotective and controlling, especially when it comes to Win and Leo. She tends to take charge, steamrollering over any objections. She also exhibits a very human side. I loved that she wasn't always cheerful and unflappable, but shows the effects of bad days, frustration with her siblings and others, and the occasional loss of her temper. There was also a hysterical scene involving a lizard and a dinner party where her behavior was not what I expected.
Cam was wonderful. We get a little bit of his background, and I have high hopes of learning more in later books. He was taken from his Gypsy family at the age of ten and went to work for the gambling house. As an adult, he is the right-hand man to the club owner and extremely (and unwillingly) wealthy. He has a bit of an internal battle going on between his Gypsy and Irish sides, which has made him rather restless. One of my favorite things about him is that he is comfortable with who he is. He has accepted that he is considered an outsider by both Gypsy and non-Gypsy folks, that he has the respect and friendship of those who mean the most to him and doesn't care about anyone else's opinion of him. He thinks about walking away from it all and returning to the Gypsy way of life until he meets Amelia.
I enjoyed the development of Cam and Amelia's relationship. There were sparks between them from the start, though they initially try to resist. Cam quickly became very protective of Amelia. Once he realized that she was the perfect woman for him, Cam was pretty relentless in his pursuit of her. I loved his way with words as he would tell her of his intentions. He also did not suffer from "I'm not good enough for her," that society could deal with them or not. Amelia was a little harder to convince. She did not doubt the power of their attraction, as shown by the flames that erupted between them whenever he touched her. But she was afraid that a half-Gypsy man would never be content in a traditional marriage, and would begin to resent her instead. I loved that Cam didn't give up on making her see that they were meant to be together.
There were also some secondary stories going on. First was the whole issue with Leo and his dissolute attitude. I was very frustrated with his whole "poor me" attitude. Losing his fiancée sucked, but he still had four sisters that he was responsible for. He redeemed himself a little at one point where he supported Amelia during her encounter with her ex, but that was a very small moment. I ached for him at the end, when Cam made him face his past and make a decision.
There was also something going on between Win and Merripen. Merripen's background is very mysterious, and there appears to be some connection with Cam, outside of them both being Gypsies. He is also very protective of Win and sensitive to her moods. I loved the whole cleaning scene and the solution he came up with that satisfied both her and Amelia. It is quite obvious that Merripen is in love with Win, but he does feel unworthy of her. It is hard to tell at first if Win feels the same way about him. Things get very interesting after the fire in which Merripen is injured, and I loved how the fragile Win comes out on top. I am looking forward to their story.
As the story opens, Amelia is searching for Leo, who has disappeared once again. She is determined to take the family to their estate in Hampshire, away from the memories and pitfalls of the city, where they can begin again. Amelia is stubborn, independent, and convinced that she is the only one standing between her family and disaster. In her search for Leo, she encounters Cam Rohan, the half-Gypsy/half-Irish manager of a gambling establishment. Though he has no intention of interfering in their family issues, Cam finds himself unable to refuse to help Amelia find Leo. Once he does, he thinks that the end of it. Fate has other plans, and they meet again in Hampshire in a most unusual manner.
Amelia was impressive and frustrating. I loved her determination and her protectiveness toward her family. She will do anything for them. However, she is a bit overprotective and controlling, especially when it comes to Win and Leo. She tends to take charge, steamrollering over any objections. She also exhibits a very human side. I loved that she wasn't always cheerful and unflappable, but shows the effects of bad days, frustration with her siblings and others, and the occasional loss of her temper. There was also a hysterical scene involving a lizard and a dinner party where her behavior was not what I expected.
Cam was wonderful. We get a little bit of his background, and I have high hopes of learning more in later books. He was taken from his Gypsy family at the age of ten and went to work for the gambling house. As an adult, he is the right-hand man to the club owner and extremely (and unwillingly) wealthy. He has a bit of an internal battle going on between his Gypsy and Irish sides, which has made him rather restless. One of my favorite things about him is that he is comfortable with who he is. He has accepted that he is considered an outsider by both Gypsy and non-Gypsy folks, that he has the respect and friendship of those who mean the most to him and doesn't care about anyone else's opinion of him. He thinks about walking away from it all and returning to the Gypsy way of life until he meets Amelia.
I enjoyed the development of Cam and Amelia's relationship. There were sparks between them from the start, though they initially try to resist. Cam quickly became very protective of Amelia. Once he realized that she was the perfect woman for him, Cam was pretty relentless in his pursuit of her. I loved his way with words as he would tell her of his intentions. He also did not suffer from "I'm not good enough for her," that society could deal with them or not. Amelia was a little harder to convince. She did not doubt the power of their attraction, as shown by the flames that erupted between them whenever he touched her. But she was afraid that a half-Gypsy man would never be content in a traditional marriage, and would begin to resent her instead. I loved that Cam didn't give up on making her see that they were meant to be together.
There were also some secondary stories going on. First was the whole issue with Leo and his dissolute attitude. I was very frustrated with his whole "poor me" attitude. Losing his fiancée sucked, but he still had four sisters that he was responsible for. He redeemed himself a little at one point where he supported Amelia during her encounter with her ex, but that was a very small moment. I ached for him at the end, when Cam made him face his past and make a decision.
There was also something going on between Win and Merripen. Merripen's background is very mysterious, and there appears to be some connection with Cam, outside of them both being Gypsies. He is also very protective of Win and sensitive to her moods. I loved the whole cleaning scene and the solution he came up with that satisfied both her and Amelia. It is quite obvious that Merripen is in love with Win, but he does feel unworthy of her. It is hard to tell at first if Win feels the same way about him. Things get very interesting after the fire in which Merripen is injured, and I loved how the fragile Win comes out on top. I am looking forward to their story.
When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.
Wealthy beyond most men's dreams, Cam has tired of society's petty restrictions and longs to return to his âuncivilizedâ Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendshipâbut intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotterâ¦
Wealthy beyond most men's dreams, Cam has tired of society's petty restrictions and longs to return to his âuncivilizedâ Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendshipâbut intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotterâ¦
